US5603345A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Retroffitable safety shut-off valve for gas or liquid meter
Assignee: Pacific Enterprises
•
Filing: 1995-12-04
•
Granted: 1997-02-18
•
Expires: 2015-12-04
Abstract
Abstract A safety valve for use in a meter through which gas or liquid may flow, the safety valve being activated to a closed position upon the disturbance of the system such as during an earthquake, thereby blocking the flow of liquid or gas. The valve may then be reopened by a reset assembly.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard Franklin
- 👤 Robert Salazar
- 👤 William Osburn
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 11:19
CPC Classifications
F; F16; F16K; F16K17/00; F16K17/36; F16K17/366; Y; Y10; Y10T; Y10T137/00; Y10T137/0318; Y10T137/0402; Y10T137/0413; Y10T137/0753; Y10T137/7504; Y10T137/8158
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
147 words
A valve for retrofitting within a meter, comprising: a flow portion in communication with a receptacle when the valve is open; a storage portion coupled to the flow portion via an opening, the storage portion being angled downwardly along its entire length; a set screw detent mounted into a floor of the storage portion and adjustably protruding from the floor to vary the amount of protrusion; a trip ball removably housed within the storage portion and adjacent to the detent when the valve is open, whereby the detent is positioned between the center of the trip ball and the receptacle when the valve is open; the receptacle coupled to the floor portion to receive the trip ball when the valve is closed; and a plunger which is movably coupled to the flow portion and which may be advanced to return the trip ball to the storage portion.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
147 words
A valve for retrofitting within a meter, comprising: a flow portion in communication with a receptacle when the valve is open; a storage portion coupled to the flow portion via an opening, the storage portion being angled downwardly along its entire length; a set screw detent mounted into a floor of the storage portion and adjustably protruding from the floor to vary the amount of protrusion; a trip ball removably housed within the storage portion and adjacent to the detent when the valve is open, whereby the detent is positioned between the center of the trip ball and the receptacle when the valve is open; the receptacle coupled to the floor portion to receive the trip ball when the valve is closed; and a plunger which is movably coupled to the flow portion and which may be advanced to return the trip ball to the storage portion.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
32 words
The valve of claim 1 wherein the flow portion has a top end including an annular shoulder defining an outer diameter that is smaller than the outer diameter of the flow portion.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
11 words
The valve of claim 1 wherein the receptacle comprises a flange.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
158 words
A seismic sensitive gas meter, comprising: a housing including an inlet gas line; a gas flow portion mounted within the gas meter and aligned with the inlet gas line; a storage portion coupled to the gas flow portion via an opening, the storage portion being angled downwardly along its entire length; a detent set screw mounted into a floor of the storage portion and adjustably protruding from the floor to vary the amount of protrusion; a trip ball removably housed within the storage portion and adjacent to the detent when the valve is open; a receptacle coupled to the gas flow portion to receive the trip ball when the valve is closed; and a plunger which is movably coupled to the gas flow portion and which may be advanced to return the trip ball to the storage portion; whereby the detent is positioned between the center of the trip ball and the receptacle when the valve is open.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
158 words
A seismic sensitive gas meter, comprising: a housing including an inlet gas line; a gas flow portion mounted within the gas meter and aligned with the inlet gas line; a storage portion coupled to the gas flow portion via an opening, the storage portion being angled downwardly along its entire length; a detent set screw mounted into a floor of the storage portion and adjustably protruding from the floor to vary the amount of protrusion; a trip ball removably housed within the storage portion and adjacent to the detent when the valve is open; a receptacle coupled to the gas flow portion to receive the trip ball when the valve is closed; and a plunger which is movably coupled to the gas flow portion and which may be advanced to return the trip ball to the storage portion; whereby the detent is positioned between the center of the trip ball and the receptacle when the valve is open.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
The meter of claim 4, wherein the flow portion has a top end including an annular shoulder.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
The meter of claim 4, further comprising a hole in the housing through which the plunger protrudes.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
185 words
A method for retrofitting a valve said valve having the following features: a flow portion in communication with a receptacle when the valve is open; a storage portion coupled to the flow portion via an opening, the storage portion being angled downwardly along its entire length; a set screw detent mounted into a floor of the storage portion and adjustably protruding from the floor to vary the amount of protrusion; a trip ball removably housed within the storage portion and adjacent to the detent when the valve is open, whereby the detent is portioned between the center of the trip ball and the receptacle when the valve is open; the receptacle coupled to the floor portion to receive the trip ball when the valve is closed; and a plunger which is movably coupled to the flow portion and which may be advanced to return the trip ball to the storage position, said method comprising: removing a portion of an meter to expose an end of an inlet line; press-fitting the valve into the end of an inlet line; and replacing the portion of a meter.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
185 words
A method for retrofitting a valve said valve having the following features: a flow portion in communication with a receptacle when the valve is open; a storage portion coupled to the flow portion via an opening, the storage portion being angled downwardly along its entire length; a set screw detent mounted into a floor of the storage portion and adjustably protruding from the floor to vary the amount of protrusion; a trip ball removably housed within the storage portion and adjacent to the detent when the valve is open, whereby the detent is portioned between the center of the trip ball and the receptacle when the valve is open; the receptacle coupled to the floor portion to receive the trip ball when the valve is closed; and a plunger which is movably coupled to the flow portion and which may be advanced to return the trip ball to the storage position, said method comprising: removing a portion of an meter to expose an end of an inlet line; press-fitting the valve into the end of an inlet line; and replacing the portion of a meter.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
The process of claim 7 wherein the valve includes a gas flow portion having a top end, the top end being press-fit into the end of the inlet line.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2000-02-18 | 2000-08-19 | 2001-02-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2004-02-18 | 2004-08-19 | 2005-02-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2008-02-18 | 2008-08-19 | 2009-02-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |